To be frank, till date I haven't heard any song from Imtiaz Ali's latest - Rockstar. Given it has A R Rahman, it has Mohit singing all songs, and till now four songs are out. But somehow I restrained from them until I get the full album. But, this - the latest song that is out - Kun Faaya Kun has got me like anything. Rahman - praising Allah- yet again. And that is what he does the best. Lovely, lovely composition and singing by Rahman, Javed Ali and Mohit Chauhan. I'm surprised to see this depth of lyrics by Irshad Kamil. And the amazing fusion with Guitar - Wow !

Here is my attempt to translate it. With whatever help I got from some online sources.

Kun Faaya Kun [or Kun Fayakun, Kun Faya Kun] means 'Be' and 'It is'. Though one has to read the full text of Quran in which it is mentioned - to understand it. Quran - Sura Al-Baqrah Verse 117 reads

"Originator (is He) of the heavens and the earth; and when He decrees a matter to be, He only says to it ' Be' and it is."..

And the lyrics of the song goes as -

Rangrezaa Rangrezaaa..
O dyer [literally means the person who does business of coloring cloths, but here, its him who has colored the protagonist in color of God]

After a long time, writing a post in this series. The series about under rated, unheard and not much celebrated albums that were really good. And surprisingly this time it has Himesh Reshmiyaa ! He was at the highest peak of career during middle of the last decade. Know most of the songs that become hit, were like annoying earworms to many. Ahista Ahista [2006] is one of the exemptions. First thing you need to put aside is the 'i hate himesh-nasal-reshamiyaa', and listen to this.

Starting with title song the album takes a promising start. Addictive loop of Ahista Ahista with continued pacey beats makes place in mind instantly. While next one Allah kare is his own genre still worth listening to, similarly he makes Kay Kay sing in HR style with Sunidhi in Tanha tere bagair. Though Dil naiyyo maane with minimal, very basic arrangments, does not pass muster, Tum Jo mile by Kunal Ganjawala reminds indipop scene. Love it.

But the three tracks I love (!) the most - Love you unconditionally ! Yes, despite of that weird lines, the beats and Himesh. Ah. This makes me visualize Abhay Deol singing in Himesh's voice. ;) But still, It was on repeat today in my mind. Next one is Ishq ne tere ishq ne - a qawwali based track with fab lyrics. Kay Kay is wonderful in this one. And who's behind those fab words? Irshad Kamil. After that semi-sufi track, Aawaan Ankhiyaan Jaawaan Ankhiyaan completes the album. The qawwali sung by Himesh, Jayesh Gandhi and Aftab Hashmi Sabri -is simply - fabulous. Sigh.....why I still haven't seen this movie. :(

Do give it a try - all Himesh requires is a director who can lead him to make such good tracks.

As a duet Tu Hi Tu works but somewhere I miss Sunidhi Chauhan here. Shreya Ghoshal tries hard towards the end of the track, but falls flat. Unplugged version sounds good over the original, may be that's because of Vijay Prakash. Aye Dil Jaaniya is again a slow number [all songs in this album are] that has lovely melody. But my favorite is Chand Pal Ke - been a long time hearing Shankar Mahadevan in such song. Along with Shreya, this is one pleasing track. Raghuvir Yadav, Hrishikesh Kamerkar, Hamsika Iyer and Ninad Kamat create a fun ensemble from melodies of past in Aaj Main Jawan Ho gayi.

Some of the Nagesh movies in past had fairly better soundtracks. This one is not upto that mark. Still a notable effort by Tejas Relia.

Was searching for the meaning of those Tamil lines sung by Hansika [or Hamsika?] Iyer in Ra One's Chammak Challo. @krishBhargav came to rescue and suggested that @martinified will help. And he did ! here is the translation

Chu chu chu [yes, thats the name of a track] annoys initially, but at the end of both-original and acoustic version, you start to love it. Both Parthiv Gohil and Debojit Saha [Sa re ga ma pa winner] charms in this track with old world sound. Jugni is the regular 'jugni' with faster beats this time. This Babbu Maan version did not work for me atleast. Shail Hada's voice does complete justice to melodious Main Ek Bhanwara. Another track with old charm.

SRK : Whoa whoa, wait, I am not talking about Love-story 2050 thing. Its 'my' movie yaar, SRK movie, one with family values, mush, laughs and some action, got it? And it must have English lyrics sprinkled in each track, right?

Shekhar; Ok, got it. For starters, lets think of an International star. Like ARR did with Kylie in Blue? Lets rope in Beyonce.

SRK : No no, she'll be too hot for this movie for my Aryan, lets take his favorite Akon.

VS : Okay, here you go. Comes the Light , I am on and finally, Song of the End !

SRK : WALLAH !! THERE YOU GO VS ! We have completed our album ! Inshallah it will be a hit. But wait a minute, its my film, and why am I not singing a single song in it? Lets record a song in my voice!

VS : Man, music launch is on coming 12th, why do you want it now???

SRK : Bollywood ka king kaun??? Me. Producer kaun? Me... so STFU and make a song...we'll release a new 'Special Edition' CD for that track.

VS : aH...Well....ok........ Oh SHIT !! SEE That site!! **outrage**

SRK : wHAT ??

VS : It says All of the Ra.One songs are available for download. We are killed now.

My head was playing songs of his last, Radio - when I got hands on Himesh's latest offering "Damadamm" [titled 'Ishq Unplugged' earlier]. I am not a big fan of Himesh but just can't escape when he composes really good stuff. Like Namastey London and Radio.

To start off - the peppy Title track 'Damadamm mast mast mast mast Kalandar' is foot tapping with HR singing in different tone. This fast number will be sure favorite on the floors. The next track - the one i was waiting for after watching it first time in theatrical trailer - 'Umarao Jaan' [no touching, only sing] is highly highly addictive [especially, the remix one]. Purbi Joshi crooning few lines, and Himesh in his original voice - the song is sure to get stuck in head. Next Aaja ve mahi with Punjabi lyrics is passable. While Madhushala is outstanding. [yes, you read it right] Himesh and Aditi Singh Sharma both reminds us the sound of nasal oldies, but indeed an innovative composition. Though it annoyed me when the first few lines [in desi hindi] were sung, but then the song picks up like anything.

Was surprised to see Sadhna Sargam's name on HR's album. Breezy Yun toh mera dil by her and [ofcourse] HR, sounds lovely. Even if you are not fan of his voice, you are surely going to love it. Starting with lovely aalap by Vaishali Made - Hum Tum is a haunting track with glitch of bad lyrics [train ki ek patri..:-|] but sounds nice nonetheless. Tere Bina has tune reminiscent of Kahin toh..[JTYJN] HR is in full form here, full nasal form. Similarly in next, I need space - which made me hit 'next' button after a few lines.

I miss you baby like mango, tere intezar mein na apple na tango, This 'LMAO' line is from the track Mango. That is rather well composed, but lyrics killed it. The last one - co-comopsed by Sachin Gupta - rock'ish Bhool Jaaoon is good one, but I think that's just an 'extra' and not a part of the movie.

Overall, do give this album a chance even if you hate HR. There are tracks you'll really like. I read it somewhere that Himesh needs to stop narcissist overdrive and give the songs to singers other than himself. Very true.

You must have played that game of Mario. His only reason to fight with baddies was to save the Princess. No flashbacks. No explanations. Just fight and finish. Salman Khan is the same here. You have no right to ask why everyone is behind Divya [Kareena] to kill her. Don't apply any logic. Just admire the awesomeness called Bhaijaan - Salman Khan.

Continuing 'i-can-bash-any-baddie' saga since Wanted [which I love most] Salman Khan as 'Lovely Singh' charms with his cute expressions through out first half, fun to see him obeying each order by his 'madam'. Though second half drags during midway, that is compensated at fantastic climax fight. Its Salman Khan all the way. Viewer forgets there is Bebo too. [sigh, wish if her character was well written, or someone else could've been better-Kat?]. And oh, the twist in tale ala K.Jo way at the finale, was naice. :P

Wasn't fan of the songs when heard for the first time. But in the movie, all the songs were fun. And Teri Meri [that I didn't like] was finely picturized.